Other July Happenings

July has been a very busy month. When the boys were not at their grandparents, going to camp or serving on their mission, they were attending speed and agility camp at school during the week. On the weekends he was available, Camden was playing on an indoor soccer team with a few of his old Dynamos teammates. 

Team party

On July 20th, Casen lost one of his lower left teeth. He still has a few to lose, but he is getting closer to getting braces.

When Camden and I find time, we are volunteering at different philanthropies for YMSL. We had fun playing BINGO with the residents at the Village at Gleannloch Farms and enjoyed fishing one evening with the kiddos who reside at Boys and Girls Country.

We loved the cows and views
at Boys and Girls Country

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end. I know the boys will be soaking up what time they have left before schools starts back up. 

Casen's Mission Trip

Casen had just a little downtime on Sunday and then Monday he was up and at 'em as this week was his mission trip. He was part of the Houston 6 team at Faithbridge. Due to the hurricane, the place where they were schedule to work and hold a VBS had to cancel due to no electricity. Instead, his team worked hard cleaning vans to transport kiddos to Faithbridge for a VBS.

Casen apparently is a good tre cleaner!

Casen enjoyed performing in skits and preparing food for the kids they brought to the church. He is exhausted from the week, but enjoyed his week serving.

Pine Cove 2024

The boys spent the past week at Pine Cove having a great time while we had a long week at home. Once we got back from Kerrville, we washed laundry and got everything together so I could get the boys all packed up and ready to go to camp.

On Sunday we headed to Columbus to drop them both off at Pine Cove and drove through a lot of rain to get there. Hurricane Bleyl was headed in our direction and was scheduled to hit on Monday, however Columbus was not really in the path, so camp was still on schedule. 

With Camden going into 9th grade, he no longer is going to camp at the Outback, but instead is going to the Ridge. Since he and his crew like to be at camp as soon as the gates open so they can be first to choose their bunk, he rode with his friend Cole. Casen's drop off time was a bit earlier then Camden's so we took him and got him situated first. He did not go with any friends this year, so he was looking forward to meeting his cabin mates. We got to unload in the rain, and since Casen's counselor, Pig, was trying to help get everyone unloaded, I didn't get a picture of he and Casen together.

We then headed over to the Ridge to get Camden situated. He again went to camp with the same group of guys he has gone with the past three years. Much to my surprise, Michelle (Cole's mom) had Camden's bed already made and he was situated.

Tyce, Camden, Cole and Trennan

Boing (the counselor) with the boys

Getting ready to take their 
swim test.

Hurricane Bleyl blew into our area early Monday morning and we lost power at 7:30am. It left behind a quite a bit of damage to the Cypress area, with a lot of trees down. A little after 11:00am the rain completely stopped as the eye of the storm was over our area, but then started raining again.

With all the damage to the area, we were without electricity until Thursday late afternoon. Fortunately, the temperature wasn't too bad on Monday, so we were able to sleep somewhat comfortably that night, however the temperatures started increasing and let me tell you it was HOT!!!! Work was cancelled so being at home, there were times I felt nauseated sitting in the house. On Tuesday and Wednesday night, I went and stayed at Melissa and Shawn's house, just so I could sleep. 

Since things were not fun in Cypress, the highlights of my days were looking on-line for pictures of the boys from camp. 

Pig, Casen and his cabin mates

Pretty sunsets at The Ridge

The goats on the island at the Ridge

Camden and Trennan

Waiting for the Flowrider

I especially look forward to Tuesday and Thursday when I receive handwritten letters from the boys. Parents can send a letter via email on Monday and Wednesday, so in my letters to the boys, I filled them in on the hurricane and told them we were without electricity.

Camden enjoyed the go-karts

I was so grateful that the boys were not home this past week - they would have been miserable. From the pictures, it looked like they were living their best life and having a great time at camp. I was ready to see them today and see what CQs (character qualities) their counselors picked for them. Always a special time.

Camden's CQs:
Kind, Perceptive and Confident

Camden and Ryan (Boing)

Casen's CQs:
Agreeable, Polite, Supportive

Casen and Greg (Pig)

Glad to have my boys back! They were both so quiet on the way home since they were tired. Hopefully in the next few days I will hear lots of stories about their week.